To share information, help businesses cope and prepare for a future in which water may be scarce, Eyler's organization is joining with Dominican University and the North Bay Leadership Council to host a water forum designed especially for businesses on Friday.

The event, called "Water shortage and small business: What is coming and how to plan," is scheduled from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at Guzman Hall, 50 Acacia Ave at the university in San Rafael. The breakfast affair costs $20.

"Small businesses that are intensive water consumers are especially vulnerable to supply changes and how water utilities react to help conservation efforts," a flyer boosting the event says. "This educational gathering provides perspectives from both the water utilities in Marin County and also a panel of businesses that see water shortages from multiple angles."

Chris DeGabriele of North Marin Water District will speak about water supply while Dan Carney from Marin Municipal Water District will talk about water demand. A small business panel will include Lynn Giacomini Stray of Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese, Michael Cronin of EO Products of San Rafael, John Buchholz of Heritage Landscapes of Marin and Nanda Schorske of College of Marin.

Small businesses will be among the first to feel the pain of water shortages, as well as the most likely beneficiaries of a surge of business from consumers interested in installing conservation efficiencies, Eyler observed.

"While recent rains may have washed away some of the fears about water shortages for households, it is important to recognize that businesses face different challenges concerning water availability," Eyler said. "The focus of this forum is on small business and things happening in Marin County both in preparing for a lack of water availability and also for new markets to reduce water needs at home — which will involve small businesses as installers, landscapers, and other service providers to make homes and commercial real estate more water efficient."

Participants may register and obtain more information at www.marin economicforum.org.